What You Need to Know About Automatic Transmission Slipping

September 6, 2018 | By Mister Transmission

What You Need to Know About Automatic Transmission Slipping

Slipping is one of the most common problems experienced by automatic transmissions. It is also, potentially, one of the most dangerous. And, as with many otherissues you may experience with your vehicle, the sooner you deal with the problem, the better – especially because transmission slipping can always get worse. Here’s what you need to know about transmission slipping.

<
 

Automatic Transmission Slipping

When you shift gears while driving your vehicle, you pretty much expect your vehicle to stay in that gear. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. In modern automatic transmissions, when you shift gears, the vehicle’s computer sends a signal to the transmission that allows the change to take place. Sometimes, however, these gears can change on their own. Often (though not always) the gear might change to neutral on its own. Sometimes the transmission will “reject” your gear change and revert to its previous gear. This is annoying at best and downright dangerous at worst.

What to Look For

If you have noticed your transmission beginning to slip, there are a number of things you can look for before bringing it in for an inspection. By examining other parts of your automatic transmission and vehicle, you can get a better idea of what might be causing your automatic transmission to slip. Some things to look for include:

  • Is your check engine light is on?
  • Does your automatic transmission try to upshift, then fall back into a lower gear?
  • Does your automatic transmission refuse to upshift?
  • Does your automatic transmission fall into a lower gear, causing the engine to run at a high RPM?
  • When you step on the gas, does your engine’s RPM increase, but the vehicle speed remains the same?
  • Does your automatic transmission fail to engage in reverse?
  • Can you smell a strange or burning odour?
  • Do you hear unusual noises when shifting?
  • Can you feel hard or rough gear changes?
  • Do you see red oil on your driveway ?

All of the above are common co-occurrences with automatic transmission slipping. If you have noticed some of these issues but not others, this can give a hint as to what the cause of these problems might be.

Causes of Automatic Transmission Slipping

As with all transmission problems, a good place to start is with the transmission fluid. Automatic transmission problems can be caused by a lack of transmission fluid. If you are experiencing slipping, the first thing you should do is check your transmission fluid levels. If they are low, you should top it up and check for leaks. Slipping can also be caused by burned or worn out fluid. Sometimes transmission fluid needs to be replaced, which itself can be a sign of internal wear and tear of the transmission. Good quality fluid should be clear with a reddish tint. Poor quality fluid will be discoloured and can have an unpleasant odour.

Other causes will be difficult to determine without bringing the vehicle in for inspection. Another common cause of automatic transmission slipping is a solenoid problem. This often requires a technician to interface with the vehicle onboard computer to see where the problem might be and the best way to fix it.

Get In Touch

If you would like to learn more about automatic transmission slipping, or to find out what’s causing your transmission to slip, please get in touch with us today.

image-reviews image-reviews
Customer Reviews
Great people -- great service!
Rob Dagenais
Great people -- great service!
Date: May 13, 2024
Website: Google
Good people got my transmission...
Isidro Thiessen
Good people got my transmission repaired quickly. It was expensive tho.
Date: May 12, 2024
Website: Google
Knowledgeable, professional and good service.
Jacobo Pineda
Knowledgeable, professional and good service.
Date: May 12, 2024
Website: Google
I had my 2007 Toyota...
Theresa F
I had my 2007 Toyota Rav 4 transmission rebuilt almost 2 years ago. Decided to bring it back for a transmission fluid change and for another check before the warranty expires. What I didn’t tell them is that there’s already a leak (my neighbour told me). I’m giving this business a 5 star review because they are honest. They told me it had a leak and they had to replace the seal, and it was still under warranty. Wow! Thank you!!!
Date: May 11, 2024
Website: Google
I have a 2015 Mazda...
Jaimin Patel
I have a 2015 Mazda 3 with automatic transmission. It is having jerking issue at 2nd gear when the car is cold. One of my known mechanic suggested Ken for transmission issues. I went there and parked my car overnight to make sure it is cold. In morning, Ken drove it and figure out instantly it was a computer mechanism trying to save fuel by engaging clutch and gear differently, which is normal and I should not spend any money on it. I liked Ken's experience and knowledge and his guidance which saved me going broke.
Date: May 11, 2024
Website: Google
Great friendly, prompt and reasonably...
Dey Muller
Great friendly, prompt and reasonably price service!
Date: May 10, 2024
Website: Google
Excellent experience. Jason is the...
Phil Wall
Excellent experience. Jason is the frontman. Super professional, friendly, and knowledgeable. Great service.
Date: May 10, 2024
Website: Google
Peter and his team did...
Peter Cadieux
Peter and his team did a great job! Very fair pricing and quick turnaround!
Date: May 10, 2024
Website: Google
Had a leak from the...
Bobros1944 Roz
Had a leak from the pan and front seal on my transmission. Despite being busy these guys were able to seal up the pan within one day. No leaks from the pan. I decided to hold off on the main seal as it is a slow leak and I'll deal with it in the winter when the cars in storage. Thanks
Date: May 9, 2024
Website: Google
Absolutely amazing service and help....
Tyrel &
Absolutely amazing service and help. Our shop was in a pickle with a customers vehicle. They got it remedied that day and gave us very valuable insight going forward. Thank you very much again! Greatly appreciated 🙏
Date: May 9, 2024
Website: Google
Featured Services
Transmission Repair

The evolution of transmissions has made these machines and systems increasingly complex. When transmission repairs are required, determining the cause and cure for what ails can be tricky.

Read More
Transmission Technology

At Mister Transmission we have access to leading-edge diagnostic equipment, enabling us to offer you the fastest and most accurate findings about what’s going on inside your vehicle’s transmission.

Read More
Transmission Maintenance & Service

Just as you have other parts of your car serviced, your transmission needs maintenance to ensure a long life and avoid transmission problems.

Read More
Mister Transmission Blogs
Recent Blogs
Transmission Shift Kits: Transforming Yo...
In the world of automotive enhancements, few upgrades can match the impact of a
Read More
May 7, 2024
Transmission Problems: Signs, Solutions,...
Maintaining a healthy transmission is crucial for the longevity and performance of
Read More
April 30, 2024
Saving On Your Ford Transmission Replace...
When it comes to maintaining your Ford, understanding the intricacies of transmission
Read More
April 22, 2024
5 Signs It’s Time For A Transmissi...
Maintaining your vehicle's transmission is crucial for its longevity and performance.
Read More
April 12, 2024
Prevent Automatic Transmission Slipping:...
Automatic transmission slipping is more than just an inconvenience; it can signal
Read More
April 5, 2024
CVT Transmission Repair Simplified: Expe...
Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVT) are known for their smooth, seamless
Read More
March 29, 2024
The Essential Guide To Cooling Transmiss...
For any vehicle, the health of its transmission system is paramount. One key aspect
Read More
March 22, 2024
The Role Of Solenoids In Your Transmissi...
In the intricate world of automotive transmissions, solenoids are fundamental
Read More
March 14, 2024
Transmission Shop Near Me: Ensuring Your...
When it comes to vehicle maintenance, the transmission is a critical component,
Read More
March 7, 2024
How A Timely Transmission Fluid Change C...
In the world of automotive maintenance, the importance of a timely transmission fluid
Read More
February 23, 2024